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2020: General Discussion

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ScottishChris said:
I am really, really annoyed with Merlin. Yep - I know they screw MAP pass holders over on a regular basis. Due to work, I struggle to book a visit more than a couple of weeks in advance - an I get that they are operating on limited capacity - so if they are full, they are full. I am so angry that they are selling out passholder slots so quickly, but day pass slots are continually available.

Merlin just don't get that we have paid - just in advance. So it looks like I have a MAP for the rest of the season that I will be unable to use :mad::mad::mad::mad:

I have messaged them to ask how may passholder slots there are - I know I won't get a response. I also suggest that if there are day ticket slots still available the evening before - why not turn half into passholder slots? Seems sensible to me.

It is amazing that Blackpool Pleasure Beach seem to be doing so much not to rip passholders off - but Merlin just want blood from a stone!

Rant over!
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Merlin want money more then anything. A company that has lost many many millions of pounds will do anything to bring money back in. Just one of those things at the moment and it’s just the merlin way. Yes it’s annoying but it was to be expected.
 
ScottishChris said:
I am really, really annoyed with Merlin. Yep - I know they screw MAP pass holders over on a regular basis. Due to work, I struggle to book a visit more than a couple of weeks in advance - an I get that they are operating on limited capacity - so if they are full, they are full. I am so angry that they are selling out passholder slots so quickly, but day pass slots are continually available.

Merlin just don't get that we have paid - just in advance. So it looks like I have a MAP for the rest of the season that I will be unable to use :mad::mad::mad::mad:

I have messaged them to ask how may passholder slots there are - I know I won't get a response. I also suggest that if there are day ticket slots still available the evening before - why not turn half into passholder slots? Seems sensible to me.

It is amazing that Blackpool Pleasure Beach seem to be doing so much not to rip passholders off - but Merlin just want blood from a stone!

Rant over!
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Your better of asking me to check on the passholder package

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Which is fair enough if that’s the case
themeparkfan said:
Reading through this topic ( I've woke up due to the wind and can't get back to sleep ) I must say it doesn't take a rocket scientist to identify the main issue being that after you cut so many attractions after the 2016 cuts and then have to 'suspend ' some due to safety issues due to Covid, you are going to be left with very little to do! Unfortunately it is what it is! After operating a buisness though this covid 19 pandemic some guys are a bit naive to think duel, hex or battle galleons would be open. I have said for weeks they wouldn't. I just don't understand the vast number of the general public that still just don't get the issues of this time after over 100 days! We have to socially distance as much as possible aiming for 2 m and people have said already that some didn't in the queuelines. Also lots of things won't have the same level of choice! McDonald's have reduced menu, not as much choice in most shops it's no different in a theme park! It is the new norm unfortunately and you have 2 choices. 1) go somewhere (AT) in this case and deal with it or 2) Just don't go and save some money!
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Firstly - I’m not convinced that the likes of Hex and Duel couldn’t open in a COVID secure way - I’m struggling to see the difference between an indoor ride and a large high street shop if the crowds are properly managed.

Secondly, if I’m wrong on the above point then the reason why said rides are unable to open in a COVID secure way will have been known to Merlin in advance and should therefore be advertised and ideally, reflected in the ticket price.

It’s a complete joke to not mention the fact that significant portions of the park will be shut and people excuse it ‘because of COVID,’ this isn’t anything new, it’s been happening for years and they now have a new excuse.
 
Josh555 said:
Which is fair enough if that’s the case


Firstly - I’m not convinced that the likes of Hex and Duel couldn’t open in a COVID secure way - I’m struggling to see the difference between an indoor ride and a large high street shop if the crowds are properly managed.

Secondly, if I’m wrong on the above point then the reason why said rides are unable to open in a COVID secure way will have been known to Merlin in advance and should therefore be advertised and ideally, reflected in the ticket price.

It’s a complete joke to not mention the fact that significant portions of the park will be shut and people excuse it ‘because of COVID,’ this isn’t anything new, it’s been happening for years and they now have a new excuse.
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The most we can hope for is a tiny easy to miss single line text notice on the website and signage at admissions such as they did for RMT a while back.

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Towers is shambolic today, yesterday was so much better, although much of it isn't the park's fault.

The entireity of X-Sector is closed for high winds, Nemesis closed for a "medical incident" with ambulances on-site, Rapids down, back half of the park closed (still unannounced) again.
 
MakoMania said:
Towers is shambolic today, yesterday was so much better, although much of it isn't the park's fault.

The entireity of X-Sector is closed for high winds, Nemesis closed for a "medical incident" with ambulances on-site, Rapids down, back half of the park closed (still unannounced) again.
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Well I see it's wicker man running the show of carrying Alton towers again
 
Josh555 said:
Which is fair enough if that’s the case


Firstly - I’m not convinced that the likes of Hex and Duel couldn’t open in a COVID secure way - I’m struggling to see the difference between an indoor ride and a large high street shop if the crowds are properly managed.

Secondly, if I’m wrong on the above point then the reason why said rides are unable to open in a COVID secure way will have been known to Merlin in advance and should therefore be advertised and ideally, reflected in the ticket price.

It’s a complete joke to not mention the fact that significant portions of the park will be shut and people excuse it ‘because of COVID,’ this isn’t anything new, it’s been happening for years and they now have a new excuse.
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I think with Hex, the pre-show is such a massive part of the ride, I can understand why they may have chosen not to open it. Plus, bench seats are a bit of a nightmare for keeping people apart.

No excuse for duel though. If they can open Sharkbait Reef, they could easily open Duel. Just give the guns a wipe between users and only load every 3rd car.

What I hate about Merlin is the half-truths and inability to be honest. If they came out and said 'a number of attractions will be closed to allow us to re-deploy staff to cleaning duties' - we would get it. If they were honest and said 'X number of passholder slots are available each day - this is to aid our cashflow' - we would get it. If they come out and say 'Rita and Thirteen will be closed as we have chosen to open all rides in other areas' - we may not be happy, but we would get it. All this nonsense about the weight of the train when that can be easily fixed.

Just be up-front and honest. People might not always like it, but [as customers] we would at least know where we stand!
 
Josh555 said:
Which is fair enough if that’s the case


Firstly - I’m not convinced that the likes of Hex and Duel couldn’t open in a COVID secure way - I’m struggling to see the difference between an indoor ride and a large high street shop if the crowds are properly managed.

Secondly, if I’m wrong on the above point then the reason why said rides are unable to open in a COVID secure way will have been known to Merlin in advance and should therefore be advertised and ideally, reflected in the ticket price.

It’s a complete joke to not mention the fact that significant portions of the park will be shut and people excuse it ‘because of COVID,’ this isn’t anything new, it’s been happening for years and they now have a new excuse.
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I can see why Hex is closed, you can’t control the flow of people through it. I have a harder time understanding Duel, but as I have said before if it’s budgetary you would have picked a more staff heavy ride. I suspect it’s an overzealous H&S risk assessment.

Sounds like as per usual the park have managed to mess up reopening.
 
I'm going to the park on the 15th so just wondering if, I don't know if this is a silly question, Rita will be open by then
 
Truthfully I think you just gotta take it as it comes. If you're an hour away from the park and have a MAP then you can probably afford the half a day out, especially when people haven't had a proper day out in ages.

However of your further away, or don't have a MAP, it probably isn't worth it but I wouldn't necessarily lay the blame on towers themselves. We live in unprecedented times, and the ability to go to a theme park this (surprising) early in the pandemic I think is a privilege really anyway. I had expected parks to open September.

I've seen a lot of ragers on Facebook. I think you can guess which page. They need to temper expectations. We're still averaging 100+ deaths a day. I can see why a business might choose to not take unnecessary risks. Especially when taking them could lead to the whole affair getting shutdown again just like that.
 
They've just announced on social media that they are offering free return visits due to today's issues.
 
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